GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus
Subject Code: AE
Course Structure
| Sections/Units |
Topics |
| Section A |
Engineering Mathematics |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Linear Algebra |
| 2 |
Calculus |
| 3 |
Differential Equations |
| Topics (Special) |
| 1 |
Fourier Series |
| 2 |
Laplace Transforms |
| 3 |
Numerical Methods for Linear and Nonlinear Algebraic Equations |
| 4 |
Numerical Integration |
| 5 |
Differentiation |
| Section B |
Flight Mechanics |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Basics |
| 2 |
Airplane performance |
| 3 |
Static stability |
| Topics (Special) |
| 1 |
Dynamic stability |
| 2 |
Euler Angles |
| 3 |
Equations of Motion |
| 4 |
Aerodynamic Forces and Moments |
| 5 |
Stability & Control Derivatives |
| 6 |
Decoupling of Longitudinal and Lateral-Directional Dynamics |
| 7 |
Longitudinal Modes |
| 8 |
Lateral-Directional Modes |
| Section C |
Space Dynamics |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Central Force Motion |
| 2 |
Determination of Trajectory |
| 3 |
Orbital Period in Simple Cases |
| Topics (Special) |
| 1 |
Orbit Transfer |
| 2 |
In-plane and Out-of-Plane |
| Section D |
Aerodynamics |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Basic Fluid Mechanics |
| 2 |
Airfoils and wings |
| 3 |
Compressible Flows |
| Topics (Special) |
| 1 |
Elementary Ideas of Viscous Flows Including Boundary Layers |
| 2 |
Wind Tunnel Testing |
| 3 |
Measurement and Visualization Techniques |
| Section E |
Structures |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Strength of Materials |
| 2 |
Flight Vehicle Structure |
| 3 |
Structural Dynamics |
| Topics (Special) |
| 1 |
Vibration of Beams |
| 2 |
Theory of Elasticity |
| 3 |
Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function |
| Section F |
Propulsion |
| Topics (Core) |
| 1 |
Basics |
| 2 |
Thermodynamics of Aircraft Engines |
| 3 |
Axial Compressors |
| 4 |
Axial Turbines |
| 5 |
Centrifugal Compressor |
| 6 |
Rocket Propulsion |
| No Special Topic |
| Note − In each of the following subjects the topics have been divided into two categories – Core Topics and Special Topics. The corresponding sections of the question paper will contain 90% of their questions on Core Topics and the remaining 10% on Special Topics. |
Course Syllabus
Section A: Engineering Mathematics
Core Topics
Unit 1: Linear Algebra
- Vector algebra
- Matrix algebra
- Systems of linear equations
- Rank of a matrix
- Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
Unit 2: Calculus
- Functions of single variable
- Limits
- Continuity and differentiability
- Mean value theorem
- Chain rule
- Partial derivatives
- Maxima and minima
- Gradient
- Divergence and curl
- Directional derivatives
- Integration −
- Line
- surface and volume integrals
- Theorems of Stokes
- Gauss and Green
Unit 3: Differential Equations
- First order linear and nonlinear differential equations
- Higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients
- Partial differential equations and separation of variables methods
Section B: Flight Mechanics
Core Topics
Unit 1: Basics
- Atmosphere −
- Properties
- Standard atmosphere
- Classification of aircraft
- Airplane (fixed wing aircraft) configuration and various parts
Unit 2: Airplane performance
- Pressure altitude −
- Equivalent
- Calibrated
- Indicated Air Speeds
- Primary flight instruments −
- Altimeter
- ASI
- VSI
- Turn-bank indicator
- Drag polar
- Takeoff and landing
- Steady climb & descent
- Absolute and service ceiling
- Cruise
- cruise climb
- Endurance or loiter
- Load factor
- Turning flight
- V-n diagram
- Winds −
Unit 3: Static stability
- Angle of attack, sideslip
- Roll, pitch & yaw controls
- Longitudinal stick fixed & free stability
- Horizontal tail position and size
- Directional stability
- Vertical tail position and size
- Dihedral stability
- Wing dihedral
- Sweep & position
- Hinge moments, stick forces
Section C: Space Dynamics
Core Topics
- Central force motion
- Determination of trajectory
- Orbital period in simple cases
Section D: Aerodynamics
Core Topics
Unit 1: Basic Fluid Mechanics
- Conservation laws −
- Mass
- Momentum (Integral and differential form)
- Potential flow theory −
- Sources
- Sinks
- Doublets
- Line vortex and their superposition
- Viscosity −
Unit 2: Airfoils and wings
- Airfoil nomenclature
- Aerodynamic coefficients −
- Lift
- Drag
- Moment
- Kutta-Joukoswki theorem −
- Thin airfoil theory
- Kutta condition
- Starting vortex
- Finite wing theory
- Prandtl lifting line theory
- Critical and drag divergence Mach number
Unit 3: Compressible Flows
- Basic concepts of compressibility
- One dimensional compressible flows
- Isentropic flows
- Normal and oblique shocks
- Prandtl-Meyer flow
- Flow through nozzles and diffusers
Section E: Structures
Core Topics
Strength of Materials −
States of stress and strain
Stress and strain transformation
Mohr's Circle. Principal stresses
Three-dimensional Hooke's law
Plane stress and Strain
Failure theories −
Maximum stress
Tresca
Von Mises
Strain energy −
Unit 2: Flight vehicle structures
- Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials
- Torsion, bending and flexural shear of thin-walled sections
- Loads on aircraft
Unit 3: Structural Dynamics
- Free and forced vibrations of undamped and damped SDOF systems
- Free vibrations of undamped 2-DOF systems
Section F: Propulsion
Core Topics
Unit 1: Basics
- Thermodynamics
- Boundary layers and heat transfer and combustion thermochemistry
Unit 2: Thermodynamics of aircraft engines
- Thrust
- Efficiency and engine performance of turbojet
- Turboprop
- Turbo shaft
- Turbofan and ramjet engines
- Thrust augmentation of turbojets and turbofan engines
- Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as −
Unit 3: Axial compressors
- Angular momentum
- Work and compression
- Characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage
- Efficiency of the compressor
- Degree of reaction
Unit 4: Axial turbines
- Axial turbine stage efficiency
Unit 5: Centrifugal compressor
- Centrifugal compressor stage dynamics
- Inducer
- Impeller
- Diffuser
Unit 6: Rocket propulsion
- Thrust equation and specific impulse
- Vehicle acceleration
- Drag
- Gravity losses
- Multi-staging of rockets
- Classification of chemical rockets
- Performance of solid and liquid propellant rockets
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